Friday, October 25, 2013 Print Edition

Friday, October 25, 2013

The Collegiate Times’ comprehensive guide to Virginia Tech Football

www.collegiatetimes.com

THE LONG WAY

BACK

BY ALEX KOMA | sports editor

Linebacker Tariq Edwards has had to recover from a variety of injuries.

T

ariq Edwards has enough metal in his body to set off alarm bells at any major airport, but you’d never know it.

The redshirt senior linebacker has had to endure myriad surgeries thanks to some brutal injuries over the last two years, yet Edwards has played like a star on defense in 2013.

Cornerback Antone Exum might get all the attention for his rehabilitation from a torn ACL, but Edwards endured an equally grueling recovery over the course of the last year.

“It was a long road, a long and hard one,” Edwards said.

The linebacker had a breakout season in 2011, but over the course of the year, a stress fracture developed in his shin. That means that a small crack gradually appeared in one of Edwards’ critical load-bearing bones.

Doctors had to insert a metal rod into his leg to stabilize the fracture, an invasive procedure that set

Edwards back for the entire 2012 offseason.

He returned to the practice field last August, but injury trouble found him once more. This time, it was his knee that betrayed him, and he needed another surgery.

Edwards ultimately returned for last year’s game against Bowling Green, but he played sparingly all year long. He ultimately started in the Russell Athletic Bowl against Rutgers, when he finally began to feel comfortable once more.

“Honestly, I didn’t feel 100 percent up until the bowl game,” Edwards said. “I was just feeling a lot of nagging pain within my leg. Just certain moves, it wasn’t as flexible.”

The senior started to prepare for 2013 in earnest over the course of spring practice. Despite having a few months off, Edwards was still apprehensive out on the field.

“I felt like 100 percent during the spring, but I still felt an unease being out there with people that might aim for your leg unconsciously,” Edwards said. “I just felt like I had to get back to a certain level that I felt com-

see EDWARDS / page 4

DEFENDING DUKE:

TECH SCHEMES FOR CUTCLIFFE’S OFFENSE

HOKIES LEAN ON THOMAS TO POWER OFFENSIVE ATTACK JAMES O’HARA contributing sports reporter

BROOKS AKER sports reporter

When Peyton Manning endorses an offensive coach, it carries significant weight.

Manning frequently turns to Duke head coach David Cutcliffe, which shows that if there is one certainty about Duke football, it’s that Cutcliffe is a brilliant offensive mind.

Though Cutcliffe doesn’t have a prototypical pocket passer like Manning in his arsenal at Duke, he has two talented redshirt junior quarterbacks playing well this season. Brandon Connette and Anthony Boone have both been efficient and effective in the backfield this season, and their success has helped the Blue Devils to a strong 5-2 start.

With a combination of Boone and Connette at quarterback, the Blue Devils are currently scoring 35.7 points per game.

The offense garnered special praise from Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer.

“I think (they’re) the most efficient offense (we’ve seen) since Alabama,” Beamer said. “They’ve got talent and they’re well coached.”

Brandon Connette has been the steady force all season for Duke, having played in all seven games and accumulating a pass

FILE 2012 / SPPS

The Hokies’ defense is looking to avoid allowing Duke to jump out to a big lead, like they did in 2012.

efficiency rating of 163.9, good for ninth in the country and one spot behind Alabama’s A.J. McCarron.

Connette’s ability to make the big throw but also keep the ball as a runner makes him tough to defend.

But last season against the Hokies, Connette left the game after just his second carry due to an injury and did not return. Th is will be the first time that the Hokies’ defense faces

Connette for significant game time.

This season it was Boone who suffered an injury that cost him playing time. After breaking his collarbone in Duke’s second game of the season at Memphis, Boone missed four games while Connette was the sole quarterback.

The Devils posted a 2-2 record during that stretch, but the offense clicked well when Boone returned

against Navy. Boone isn’t quite the same runner as Connette, but he will keep the ball often enough to make a defense honor a play fake. His ability as a passer changes how Duke attacks the defense.

Boone went 31-for-38 in a marvelous return from injury, leading Duke to the 35-7 win. After another win,

see DEFENSE / page 4

After the Virginia Tech Hokies’ season opener against the Alabama Crimson Tide, in which running back Trey Edmunds ran for 132 yards while quarterback Logan Thomas completed just 19 percent of his passes, the common sentiment was that the Hokies would need to rely on their running game this season.

As the season has worn on, however, the veracity of that statement has diminished.

Since the Hokies began ACC play, Thomas has been the offense.

The Hokies have utilized a quicker passing game, focused on shorter routes that lead to high percentage throws, to take pressure off of Thomas while simultaneously putting more of the offensive burden on the senior.

And the strategy has worked.

In the Hokies’ last three games, Thomas has either passed or carried the ball on 69 percent of plays, while playing his best games of the season.

Thomas was the leading rusher in two of the Hokies’ last three games, while also throwing for three of his four highest completion percentages on the season.

Thomas has also not thrown an interception over the same stretch, while accounting for six touchdowns.

With injuries on the offensive line affecting their ability, especially in the interior, to fire off the line quickly and get under the pads of the defense,

the traditional running game has struggled.

“It looked like we’d been in war or the battlefield out there in practice with some of our guys,” said running backs coach Shane Beamer.

With the new emphasis on running Thomas on the inverted veer and quicker developing plays in the passing game, the amount of work required of the offensive line has been reduced, allowing the Hokies to get the same, or better, production.

“We got to do what (we’ve) got to do to win games,” said Beamer.

The new play calling isn’t better for everyone though.

Edmunds has seen his role gradually decrease; he has had less than ten carries in two of the last three games.

Even when he has gotten the ball, Edmunds has averaged just 1.41 yards per carry.

Edmunds isn’t letting that discourage him, though.

“Football isn’t all positive,” Edmunds said. “You have to take the negatives with the positives. So I mean you have to just stay in there and stick with it and keep working and hopefully it will come around again.”

The coaching staff isn’t worried about Edmunds either.

“Surely, Trey would have liked to put together more games, more successful games, since that Alabama game. But I’m not worried about him,” Beamer said.

see OFFENSE / page 4

2

NICOLAS, FULLERS PART OF THE

ROTATING WHIP

MIKE PLATANIA sports media manager

The whip linebacker position is one of those specialized hybrid roles Bud Foster loves.

Like the rover/safety variant, the whip is sparsely used outside of Blacksburg, but the Hokies use it well and often.

The whip is part 3-4 linebacker and part nickel cornerback, so it requires a certain type of athleticism.

Ronny Vandyke was set to be the full-time starter at whip, but was lost to injury before the season started.

Initially, Bud Foster and outside linebackers coach Cornell Brown plugged in Josh Trimble to fi ll in, but Foster and Brown have since put in a revolving door at the position.

Each week they trot out a new and equally dangerous player to play the role, kind of like how Oregon can seemingly showcase a different offensive player each week to torch opponents.

One has to imagine that whichever player gets assigned the whip each week is ecstatic because it seems that whoever it is, they have a free pass to follow their instincts.

Against Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense, Kyle Fuller played the whip and caused all sorts of problems.

Fuller tried to time his blitzes perfectly at the snap, and as a result he was often in the backfield before Georgia Tech’s linemen were out of their stance. He also jumped

offsides a few times, but that didn’t stop Foster from continuing to give him the green light to try and guess the snap count.

With a very crowded and talented secondary, there was concern that blue-chip recruit Kendall Fuller wouldn’t see much of the field, but he’s found a bit of a niche at the whip. Against teams that run the option and have shift y slot receivers, Kendall’s quickness and ability to tackle in the open field make him a capable whip.

But no player was more fun to watch at the whip than Dadi Nicolas.

Nicolas, a defensive end in most instances, took his hand off the ground against Pitt and ran all over the Panthers, both laterally and as a passrusher.

Ahead of the Pittsburgh game, Foster praised the Panthers’ offensive line’s ability to run block but said if they had a weakness, it might be in pass protection. Accordingly, Foster unleashed Nicolas to go ahead and get to the quarterback by any means necessary.

“I’m just thankful for getting the opportunity from coach (Bud) Foster putting me in the right position to make these types of plays,” Nicolas said.

People love to compare Nicolas to New York Giants defensive end Jason PierrePaul due to their Haitian roots and raw ability with little football experience, but it seems Nicolas is starting to

TREVOR WHITE / SPPS

Dadi Nicolas (90) is one of several different players Bud Foster has used at the whip linebacker position to create mismatches on defense. establish himself as his own player.

“He’s kind of found his niche. You can see that he’s a heck of player and he’s only going to get better once the whole mental side catches up to his physical ability,” linebacker Jack Tyler said.

Fellow defensive end and clairvoyant James Gayle is less

than surprised about Nicolas’ breakout.

“I warned the media about him early. I was like, 'He’s going to be one of the better players in the ACC.’ He showed them,” Gayle said.

Whenever you hear about a team going to a position “by-committee,” it usually means they lack one standout

player who can carry the load, but it’s the contrary for the Hokies. Due to their depth at corner and linebacker, Brown and Foster now have the luxury of specializing the whip position per opponent.

With the whip position, Brown and Foster are able to give a lot of different looks with a lot of different players,

and they’ve done a remarkable job of getting their most talented players involved with the position.

This shouldn’t change against a Duke team that loves to run with both their quarterback and running back.

@ @MikePlatania

PUNTING, KICK COVERAGE PACE SPECIAL TEAMS WILL GROOMS sports staff writer

Despite being often overlooked, special teams is just as significant to the success of Virginia Tech football as offense and defense.

Effective or ineffective execution on special teams can make or break a game or, quite often, a season.

Sophomore punter AJ Hughes understands this reality and has been nothing short of brilliant over the season’s first half. The Indiana native has been the picture of consistency throughout the duration of his short career.

Coming off of a freshman season in which he averaged a very respectable 40.6 yards per punt, Hughes has raised the bar even higher in 2013—averaging 45.3 yards per opportunity. The enhancement in his punting proficiency is a result of a long offseason of work.

“I had a really good offseason, working on my fundamentals and my timing is a lot better,” Hughes said. “I have a lot of confidence in our unit.”

Mental development has been just as important to the punter as physical development. The gains Hughes has made mentally between his first and second seasons of college football have made him better suited to handle pressure situations.

“I don’t feel any pressure, probably the opposite actually,” Hughes said. “Knowing we have the best defense in the country makes me excited about trying to pin the other team deep.”

His body of work in this regard has been good enough to earn him the 11th best punting average in the nation.

“Field position is everything and the quickest way to get it is in your punting game,” said head coach Frank Beamer.

“When you’re trading punts, it adds up and [Hughes] has been really good for us.”

Also to be noted is the improvement of Hughes’ special teams counterpart, place kicker Cody Journell.

“

Field position is everything and the quickest way to get it is in your punting game.”

Frank Beamer Head coach

After Journell earned a spot as a Sports Illustrated honorable mention All-American last season, the redshirt senior was expected to compete for national honors, such as the Lou Groza award given to the nation’s best kicker.

This wasn't to be, however, as Journell began the season by missing three of his first six field goal attempts—two of which were inside forty yards—and two extra points.

After one of the worst performances of Journell’s career, in which he missed two field goals and an extra

point in the East Carolina victory, he was benched for the following game against Marshall for undisclosed reasons.

In Journell’s return against Georgia Tech, he missed a chip shot from 25 yards out.

Despite ranking 92nd out of 100 qualifying place kickers in the nation for field goal percentage—63.6 percent—the improvement in Journell’s game is notable.

After not attempting a field goal against UNC, Journell knocked through four of five field goal attempts against Pittsburgh as well as converting on his only extra point opportunity.

Although he failed on a relatively easy attempt from 33 yards away, he came through on a season long 48 yard attempt that put the Hokies up by double digits.

“He just had one bad game but he’s been very steady overall,” Beamer said. “He yanked an easy one but he came back and got the last one which made it a lot better for us.”

The resurgence was just what Journell needed and should supply a steady reserve of confidence for the third year starter moving forward.

“Obviously after a rough couple of weeks it felt great to drill the opportunities I had,” Journell said. “It made a big difference in a game where we really needed them.”

Just as significant as the kicker and punter are the pieces that surround them— the unsung heroes of the kickoff team, for example.

Members of the kickoff team put themselves at greater personal risk than any other player on the team.

Because of the danger that accompanies being a wedgebuster or number one on the outside, members of this unit generally aren't starters.

That being said, many stand-out players have gotten their start by making a profound splash on special teams—such as former NFL and Virginia Tech defensive back Victor “Macho” Harris.

True freshman free safety Chuck Clark plans to use that as his model as he attempts to climb the ranks.

The first-year player plays the number one spot on the outside of the kickoff team and has recorded 12 total tackles in seven games solely on special teams. His early success motivates him to take his game to another level.

“I want to say I feel good about what I’ve done but it’s not enough,” Clark said.

“Now what I’m trying to work for is scooping and scoring some fumbles, something like that, instead of just tackles.”

Clark hopes his prowess as a head-hunter on special teams will, one day, ignite his transition to the defensive first team.

“I’m just trying to take it day by day,” Clark said.

“I think what I’ve done on special teams will, hopefully, get me more playing time on defense.”

@ @CTSportsTalk

3

EXUM’S RETURN BOLSTERS SECONDARY AGAINST DUKE

FILE 2012 / SPPS

Antone Exum (1) plans to return to action this week after recovering from a knee injury, adding to an already deep defensive backfield.

After a disappointing outing against Pitt, the secondary tries to bounce back.

JAMES MITCHELL sports staff writer

After a nine month hiatus, all signs are pointing to Antone Exum’s return this Saturday against the Duke Blue Devils at Lane Stadium.

But is the “Daycare” open for real this time?

“I think so. That’s how I’m preparing,” said senior cornerback Antone Exum.

“That’s my mind set and it’s looking good right now for me to be out there Saturday.”

It’s not just Exum saying that he’ll be out there this week; it’s the coaches as well.

“I’m pretty positive (Antone) Exum is going to go,” said defensive back coach Torian Gray. “I know he feels excited. He’s going to start the game, and we’ll evaluate him from there.

But he’s defi nitely prepared mentally and physically to start the game.”

Exum’s potential return comes after the Hokies’ secondary had a solid but not so glamorous performance against the Pittsburgh Panthers two weeks ago.

The Hokies gave up 187 yards through the air to senior quarterback Tom Savage, who completed 13 of his 29 passes on the day.

The Panthers passing attack averaged 14.4 yards per completion and had some success taking shots downfield, with wide receiver

Devin Street catching passes of 33 and 48 yards.

Overall, Tech gave up no touchdowns through the air but failed to record an interception in a game for the fi rst time this season.

Meanwhile, Duke brings the 34th ranked offense and 30th ranked passing offense, which averages 269.4 yards per game.

The Blue Devils can start either Brandon Connette, who is working to return from injury, or Anthony Boone at quarterback, as they have recorded similar statistics and both have made quite the impact.

“

They’re the most efficient offense since Alabama.”

Frank Beamer Head coach

“They’re the most efficient offense since Alabama,” said head coach Frank Beamer. “They’ve got talent and they’re well coached.”

At 5-2, Duke proves once again to not be the guaranteed win like it's been in past years. In last season’s game, the Hokies were down 20-0 in the fi rst quarter before scoring 41 unanswered points to come away with the win.

“We don’t think we played

well, so we defi nitely have to come out stronger this year,” said cornerback Kyle Fuller.

The Hokies’ passing defense currently ranks third in the nation, as it's giving up only 165.0 yards per game and is also tied for third in interceptions with 13 on the season.

Of those 13, redshirt freshman cornerback Brandon Facyson has accounted for four of them.

Unfortunately, Facyson suffered a concussion at practice earlier this week.

Apparently, the concussion came after hitting his head on the ground during pass skeleton drills and being tackled after an interception.

If he’s not able to play against Duke, the young cornerback isn’t too worried about how that’ll affect the team.

“I’m not going to jeopardize myself,” said cornerback Brandon Facyson. “We have many great defensive backs here, so they’ll take up the slack. It’s kind of judging on how I feel.”

With Antone Exum having been cleared since the week of the North Carolina game and having two extra weeks to prepare, the probability of his return is very high. But with his return also comes speculation.

The Hokies aren’t too concerned though. The addition of Exum only looks to add to Tech’s highly touted defense.

“I think it can only make us better. He’s a great player,” said Kyle Fuller. “When

he gets back out there I think you’ll see how much better we’ll be just from having an extra guy with his talent.”

With a very talented secondary, the thought of clashing egos comes to mind. Exum’s return looks to affect the roles of defensive backs who’ve already settled in after the fi rst half of the season “You have a talk with each one of those guys, and try to put it in perspective,” said Gray. "You've got to move on, (because) in the end we’re all in it to win games and play well as a secondary to help the team win.”

Returning from an ACL injury is a daunting task, but it looks as if the “Daycare” will be open for business for the annual Orange Effect game this Saturday. “Tone” is ready for the receivers to come and play.

“It just happened when it happened,” said Exum.” If it was Clemson and I was ready then I’d be lined up for Sammy, (Watkins) but it just happened to be Duke this week.”

Many are wondering what kind of impact Exum will have. Will he be back to his old self or have to adjust slowly?

“It’d defi nitely be a blessi ng to be out there with those guys I’ve missed so much,” Exum said.

Whatever the answer is, Exum is remaining humble and ready to play.

@ @CTSportsTalk

4 OFFENSE: WORK IN PROGRESS from page one

PLAYER

TWEETS-OF-THE-WEEK Darius Walter Redman @TheCalc_33 Females take a unfollow on Instagram wayyyy to serious

Luther Maddy @BigLu_Dolo 6-1 #Hokies You can call us SACKCITY

Dewayne Alford Jr. @iGoEliPorter they should do a documentary about Terio and how he came up with “ooh kill him” and what his momma was feeding him

And Edmunds and the other running backs haven’t been completely removed from the game plan — when up by a comfortable margin, Tech has turned to their traditional running game to eat up the clock.

Against North Carolina, the Hokies took possession of the ball with 13:13 left to go in the game up by 11 points.

After a 10 play drive - half runs by either Edmunds or fellow running back J.C. Coleman - Tech punted the ball, having drained 6:47 from the clock.

When the Tar Heels muffed

the punt, the Hokies took over at the Tar Heels’ 17 and proceeded to call six straight rushes for Edmunds. He ultimately scored the game-icing touchdown, while running the clock down to just 4:06.

Edmunds believes that the time where Tech relies on the running backs for a full game is right around the corner.

“I feel like we’re getting closer and closer to that breakout game from a running back standpoint,” Edmunds said.

For now though, the Hokies will just keep doing whatever brings them success on the offensive side of the ball.

“We just have to figure out

what they’re going to try to do to us and after that just take what they give us. That’s what offense is, just taking what the defense gives us,” Thomas said.

This is the new reality for the Hokies, it may not be pretty or show up in the stat sheet, but with their shutdown defense it’s all they need — in their last three games the Hokies have scored enough points in the first half to win the game.

In any case, there’s no doubt that the Hokies offense runs through Logan Thomas.

@nextyeardc

EDWARDS: BACKER FINDS COMFORT ZONE from page one fortable with as far as playing full speed and being able to hit people and not letting people hit me.

I know the linemen cut a lot at the second level and different things like that, and I just had to make sure I was comfortable before I got back.

It took so long before I even felt that way.”

But despite that early insecurity, Edwards has been a confident and reliable performer on the field this season.

He’s started all seven games so far, and is third on the team in tackles with 38, five of which went for losses. He’s also recorded 1.5 sacks and an interception, making it clear that he’s finally adjusted to his surgically repaired body parts.

“Honestly, it’s still not as flexible, but I feel comfortable with my leg and I’ve been playing with it so I think it just goes with reps, being in the game, actually playing on it, making those certain

cuts,” Edwards said.

With Exum hoping to return to the field himself for the upcoming game against Duke, Edwards can identify with his struggle.

“You can definitely relate, because coming back you feel uneasy being out there trying to make certain movements,” Edwards said. “It’s a big transition from not being able to walk to running full speed and making cuts in the field.”

The two have kept in close contact throughout their respective rehab processes, since they’ve shared many of the same setbacks.

“He’s been through the whole process so it’s just one of those things where sometimes I’ll be going through some things and he’ll be like ‘yeah, I remember those days,’” Exum said. “Or it’ll just be something simple like grabbing ice after practice like ‘I have to ice mine too, man’ or something like that. So there’s definitely some similarities with the stuff that we’ve gone through.”

While Edwards might be close with Exum on the practice field, it’s fellow linebacker Jack Tyler that he feels a special connection with on game days.

“We definitely click, being able to communicate, being able to get to the ball, cover guys, things like that,” Edwards said. “(Jack and I) have been playing since the 2010 ACC Championship beside each other, since Bruce (Taylor) was out for a little.

I feel like me and him do a pretty good job accompanying each other.”

The pair’s excellent play has helped Bud Foster’s defense allow the second fewest yards in the country. However, Edwards still feels there’s room for improvement.

“As far as being a cover guy, I could do better in man to man,” Edwards said. “I saw (that) today against Willie Byrn, he’s a quick, shift y guy, so I need to work on that.”

He’ll have plenty of practice in coverage against Duke this weekend, as the defense will be taking on Jamison

KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS

Tariq Edwards has had his fair share of injuries, but he’s starting to feel comfortable on the field again.

Crowder, the ACC’s leader in receptions.

But after being forced to sit on the sidelines last year while the Blue Devils jumped out to a 20 point lead on the Hokies, Edwards has plenty of motivation for this weekend.

“I was just able to watch and

sit and just go ‘0-20,’” he said, sighing. “You really can’t do anything about it, but just try to encourage guys, that’s all you’re there for.”

Now, with a healed knee and shin, Edwards and the rest of the defense will try to keep improving.

“We just go from game to game and we try to constantly build a ladder and keep going forward and be the best that we can be every day,” Edwards said.

@ @AlexKomaVT

DEFENSE: FOSTER READIES FOR DEVILS

FILE 2012 / SPPS

Luther Maddy (92) and James Gayle (99) are preparing to face either one of Duke’s talented passers. from page one this one courtesy of 35 unanswered points against Virginia in a 35-22 victory, the Blue Devils will look to keep rolling in Blacksburg.

But the Hokies know this Duke offense is multi-talented.

“They’ve got a lot of playmakers on the field,” said freshman cornerback Kendall Fuller.

“They’ll throw it deep on you; they’re not afraid to take some deep shots and they’ll always mix in the run and try to get their running game going.

And from what I’ve seen they like to give number three the ball a lot, who is a big playmaker on the team.”

That number three, junior wide receiver Jamison Crowder, happens to be the leader in the ACC with 47 receptions on the season.

Crowder stands just 5’9” but is quick and tough to bring down in space.

“Those guys are shift y,” said redshirt senior linebacker Tariq Edwards. “They’ve got good receivers, good backs, and I think they’ve been play-

ing very well.”

It’s hard to focus on one player in the Duke attack because they have so many contributors on offense.

The Blue Devils feature six players that have carried the ball 20 or more times and three players with 20 or more receptions on the season.

But Virginia Tech knows it has to be ready to stop all of the playmakers that Cutcliffe can utilize.

“They have some weapons that they use well and we have to be ready for that,” said senior cornerback Kyle Fuller.

The good news for Virginia Tech is that the team is well rested. The Hokies are coming off a bye week after starting the season with seven straight games.

Though the team has been playing well, winning its last six games, the bye week was a welcome break.

“I mean it always feels good to have some rest,” Edwards said. “We could go into the next game, week to week, keep on constantly playing, but for your body to get some type of rest, especially people with

nagging injuries or with nicks and different pain, it’s always good to get some kind of rest.”

And it appears the most rested player of all will finally take the field for Virginia Tech.

When asked about his chances of playing for the first time this season against Duke and if he was ready, redshirt senior cornerback Antone Exum sounded optimistic.

“I think so, I think so," Exum said. "That’s how I’m preparing (to play), that’s my mindset and it’s looking good right now for me to be out there on Saturday.”

With the status of freshman cornerback Brandon Facyson still uncertain after he sustained a concussion on Sunday, Exum’s return is timely for what has been a stellar group thus far this season.

With all of the weapons at the disposal of Cutcliffe, Boone and Connette, the Hokies’ defense will need another great performance to push the winning streak to seven games.

@bfaker

Take an exclusive look at the CENTER FOR THE ARTS AT VIRGINIA TECH see page 5 Friday, October 25, 2013

An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 www.collegiatetimes.com

COLLEGIATETIMES 110th year, issue 38 News, page 2

Lifestyles, page 5

Opinions, page 3

Sports, page 1

Candidates battle in final showdown

BY CAMERON AUSTIN & LESLIE MCCREA | news staff

Classifieds, page 4

Robert Sarvis attends debate despite exclusion DEAN SEAL & MIKE DEMSCO news staff

STEPHEN M. HELBER / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Terry McAuliffe and Ken Cucinelli faced off in Squires Student Center on Thursday night for the final debate.

V

irginia gubernatorial candidates faced off in Haymarket Theatre on Thursday night for the third and final debate before the Nov. 5 election.

Republican candidate Ken Cuccinelli and Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe engaged in a bitter battle about jobs, women’s rights, education and gun rights, with both candidates mentioning the April 16

massacre several times during the course of the debate.

Cuccinelli, who is adamantly opposed to universal background checks, said that it’s “nearly impossible to find the Cho before it happens,” referring to shooter Seung-Hui Cho. The National Rifle Association has given Cuccinelli an “A+” rating, while opponent Terry McAuliffe received an “F.” “I don’t care what rating the NRA gives

me,” said McAuliffe, who has stated numerous times that he supports universal background checks and is against arming professors and resource officers in public schools.

“We need to do everything we can to make sure our communities are safe,” McAuliffe said. “I never want to see another Newtown, or Aurora, or Virginia Tech again.” see DEBATE / page six

Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis sat with his wife as his competitors, Ken Cuccinelli and Terry McAullife, battled it out on the stage of the Haymarket Theatre on Thursday night.

With each candidates’ aff ront on the other’s credibility and political stance, Sarvis sat silent, but deployed his own counters and parries via his Twitter account.

Despite a rise in Sarvis’ polling position, he was excluded from the final debate after failing to meet the 10 percent poll percentage requirement set by the host network, Roanoke CBS affi liate WDBJ-7.

When the decision was made to exclude Sarvis on Thursday, Nov. 10, Sarvis’ poll ratings stood just shy of the cutoff at nine percent, according to a poll conducted by realclearpolitics.com.

Since then, the Libertarian candidate’s ratings have continued to rise. As of the night of the debate, Sarvis estimated his ratings “between nine percent and 13 percent.” Th is was consistent with realclearpolitics.com, who, on the night of the debate, reported Sarvis as controlling 10 percent of the poll, a historic high for an independent candidate.

His wife, Astrid Sarvis, posted a video on Oct. 18 conveying her disappointment with her husband’s exclusion from the debate.

In the video, she makes an emotional plea for WDBJ to reconsider their decision to exclude him based on his rising average polling numbers, that, as of Oct. 18, were above the 10 percent cutoff and were continuing to trend upwards.

“To the McAuliffe and Cuccinelli camps, see SARVIS / page six

Women’s soccer falls to FSU 2-1 Steger involved in minor traffic incident BRITTANY KEUP sports staff writer

DEAN SEAL news editor

Virginia Tech President Charles Steger was involved in a minor traffic collision with a cyclist on Wednesday morning.

According to Chief Wendell Flinchum of the Virginia Tech Police Department, the call came in at 8:42 a.m. on Wednesday reporting that President Steger had collided with a cyclist at the intersection of West Campus Drive and Drillfield Road.

Steger was driving his 2012 Mercedes sedan.

The cyclist identified herself to the responding officers as Abigail Motley, a freshman industrial design major and member of Tech’s cross country team.

Neither Motley nor Steger were seriously injured in the incident, with Motley only suffering from “minor scratches,” according to Larry Hincker, associate vice president of university relations.

“Dr. Steger was taking a right turn and the bicycle was in the right lane.

He did not see the bicyclist — (it) was

NEWS

in the blind spot so to speak,” Chief Flinchum said. “So when he made the right turn, they collided. It was a low speed accident, as neither was going very fast.”

According to Hincker, President Steger got out of his car afterwards to ask Motley if she was okay.

Motley refused transportation for treatment to the hospital after emergency medical technicians evaluated her, and she subsequently “rode off on her bicycle at the conclusion of the investigation,” Chief Flinchum said.

There was no damage to the car or bicycle, and no charges were pressed.

Following the incident, Hincker confirmed that Steger sent flowers to Motley, with a note reading “Hope you are okay!”

When the Collegiate Times contacted Motley on Wednesday evening, she denied involvement in the collision. After Chief Flinchum delivered his statement on Thursday, Motley was unavailable for comment.

@JDeanSeal

LIFESTYLES

see online

BEN WEIDLICH / SPPS

The women’s soccer team fought a tough game against the Seminoles, but fell 2-1. bounced back to score with just regular season games left. three minutes left, making the final The Hokies will look to bounce score 2-1. back against another ACC oppo“You know we gave up a lead nent this Sunday against Miami at here,” Adair said. “We just couldn’t Thompson Field at noon. get over the hump to finish this game.”

With the loss, the Hokies move @CTSportsTalk to 13-2-2 on the season, with two

SPORTS Check online this weekend for the Center for the Arts video for more information about the opening.

Read more about our coverage of the gubernatorial debate see page 2 Will the cold stick around for the football game Saturday?

Read our weather column inside. see page 2

The fourth-ranked Virginia Tech women’s soccer team hosted the No. 3 Florida State Seminoles Thursday night and experienced a devastating loss, 2-1.

“They’re a really good team, they are really well-balanced, sophisticated on the ball. They are really confident on the ball, so that was the most difficult part,” head coach Chugger Adair said.

Florida State entered the match as one of only two teams in the entire country that remained undefeated, with a record of 13-0-3.

The Seminoles struck first in the 15th minute when Florida State midfielder Dagny Brynjarsdottir found the back of the net.

Entering the second half, the Hokies once again had many chances to score, but could not get the ball in the net.

“They’re were better in the finishing aspect, that was one thing,” Adair said. “But I thought that we were better or as good with possession.”

Finally, in the 71st minute, the Hokies got on the board when sophomore midfielder Ashley Meier scored her eighth goal of the season.

Despite their tie, the Seminoles

ONLINE The volleyball team lost a tough game to Virginia and takes on Notre Dame tonight. Find out what they’ll need to do to win.

see online

For updates throughout the day. www.collegiatetimes.com

ctlifestyles CollegiateTimes @collegiatetimes

NEWS 6 Sarvis: Candidate rallies students Outside the debate: Planned Parenthood Protests @RobertSarvisVA newseditor@collegiatetimes.com

October 25, 2013

collegiatetimes.com

from page one

I’d like to challenge you to do what is fair and ask for my husband’s inclusion in the debate,” said Astrid Sarvis in the video.

Astrid Sarvis’ requests were not fulfilled.

“I sort of recorded the video in the spur of the moment,” Astrid Sarvis said later, discussing the video. “It didn’t get the exact outcome I was hoping for.”

Prior to the debate, Sarvis hosted a rally between the Squires Student Center and the Top of the Stairs restaurant where students were encouraged to come out and ask the candidate questions pertaining to state universities and general public policy.

“Young people are, in many ways, underserved by the system. [Students] are going to graduate with a lot of debt and come out to an economy where there’s not a lot of jobs available,” Sarvis said.

Following the rally, Sarvis was eager to meet his supporters in front of Haymarket Theatre prior to the debate, and continued speaking with students and attendees after the debate.

@JDeanSeal

Sarvis live-tweeted his reactions to the debate

“ “ “ “ “

Here’s a real jobs plan that doesn’t involve giving taxpayer money to the politically connected. http://robertsarvis.com/issues/jobs.” @TerryMcAuliffe loves tax credits. Angel investors tax credit? READ: Terry’s lunch buddies tax credit... #SayNoToCronyism Debate hosts keep asking TM re Medicaid $ not being certain. What about it not being for things other than Medicaid?! #VAGovDebate Kudos to .@TerryMcAuliffe for highlighting my support for an open society. #VAGovDebate @KenCuccinelli answers Q re my exclusion as if his campaign didn’t move goalposts & force the exclusion. #dishonest #VAGovDebate

ZACK WAJSGRAS / SPPS

Before the debate protestors for Planned Parenthood rallied outside of Squires Student Center.

Debate: Candidates discuss gun rights, education, jobs from page one

Heading into the debate, polls showed McAuliffe leading Cuccinelli anywhere from seven to nine points, while libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis polled right around the 10 percent threshold that would have admitted him into the debate.

According to rules agreed upon by the candidates and debate host WDBJ-7, Sarvis would have needed to poll above 10 percent two weeks prior to the event in order to be included.

During the debate, the candidates were asked about how Sarvis’ inclusion in the debate would have affected them.

McAuliffe mentioned that his campaign was in favor of having the debate, saying “We made that clear, obviously, to the television station and everybody else. We’re about bringing folks together to move the commonwealth forward.”

Meanwhile, Cuccinelli said that his campaign was pleased to have independent politician

Rand Paul’s endorsement.

“I will point out that in my lifetime, in Virginia, I am the strongest pro-liberty candidate ever elected statewide,” Cuccinelli said.

Sarvis tweeted out during the debate that Cuccinelli’s campaign had “moved goalposts and forced the exclusion.”

The candidates brought up higher education several times, as the pair had different perspectives on SOL reform, private versus public funding for colleges

weather watch

JAMES MORROW weather reporter

After a few dreary days around campus, conditions will slowly rebound Friday with decreasing clouds and a few peaks of sunshine.

Temperatures will top out around 48 degrees in the afternoon with a moderate breeze. Prepare for another hard freeze Friday night as temperatures plummet into the lower 20’s.

Sunshine returns in full force on Saturday.

Temperatures will respond with a high around 56 just in time for kickoff. A light breeze may add a bit of a chill to the stadium during the game. Even though it’s

getting colder, don’t forget to remember apply sunscreen!

Temperatures will fall into the upper 30’s overnight.

Temperatures will continue to rise on Sunday, and will approach 60 again early next week. We look to remain thawed and dry through the middle of the week, with the next chance of rain approaching by next weekend.BIO

JAMES MARROW James Morrow is CT’s news weather correspondent. He is a senior Meteorology major and a Hokie Storm Chaser. He currently serves as the Meteorology Club President and is the Chief Meteorologist at WUVT 90.7 FM Blacksburg.

and financial aid.

“We want critical reasoning going on with our students so we can build the jobs of the 21st century,” McAuliffe said.

“Education is important— that’s how you build a 21st century economy.”

Cuccinelli’s focal point of the debate was his job plan, which he said will bring 58,000 new jobs to the commonwealth by reducing personal income tax and lowering the business tax to four percent.

“More people are just dying for the dignity to work, and I mean full-time work, not Obamacare part-time work, but full-time work more than anything we’re facing in Virginia,” Cuccinelli said.

When Terry McAullife was asked about job growth, Cuccinelli scolded his plan, saying, “He has made no plans. I like puppies but I don’t bring a puppy home if I don’t have a plan for how to deal with that puppy— he’s all puppy no plan.”

With 10 days left before the election, both candidates are gearing up to finish their respective campaigns strong in the commonwealth.

McAuliffe will return to Blacksburg with former President Bill Clinton on Monday for a campaign stop at Owens Hall, while Cuccinelli will be campaigning with Rand Paul on Monday in Fairfax.

@CameronOAustin

OPINIONS

opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com

October 25, 2013

collegiatetimes.com

3

The Collegiate Times is an independent studentrun newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief: Priscilla Alvarez Managing Editor: Danielle Buynak Art Director: Kevin Dickel Design Editors: Brad Klodowski, Andrea Ledesma Public Editor: Andrew Kulak Web Editor: James O’Hara Multimedia Editor: Nick Smirniotopoulos News Editors: Cameron Austin, Dean Seal News Reporters: Melissa Draudt, Leslie McCrea News Staff Writers: Kelly Cline, Josh Higgins, Matt Minor Lifestyles Editors: Chelsea Giles, Madeline Gordon Opinions Editors: David Levitt, Sharath Reddy Sports Editors: Jacob Emert, Alex Koma Sports Media Manager: Mike Platania Assistant Photo Editor: Ben Wiedlich Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager: James Dean Seal Circulation Manager: Keith Bardsley

MCT CAMPUS

Communities must stand by victims of rape E arly on the morning of Jan. 8, 2012, Melinda Coleman found her 14-year-old daughter, Daisy, sprawled across the front porch and scratching at the front door of their Maryville, Mo. home.

Dressed in only a t-shirt and sweatpants, her hair frozen, Daisy had been out in the freezing weather for almost three hours. After gettting examined by doctors and giving interviews to the police, Daisy learned that she’d been sexually assaulted the previous night. The alleged assailant was Matthew Barnett, an acquaintance from school.

Despite the sheriff ’s assurance that the evidence obtained, including audio and video confessions, would result in prosecutions, the felony sexual assault and the sexual exploitation counts were dismissed.

Even before the charges were dismissed, Daisy and her family had been receiving numerous threats and malicious comments over social media. Her brother was booed at his wrestling tournament, and some said Daisy “had been asking for it” and that Barnett was blameless.

Since the prosecutors and some members of the police did not back up the victim, the community has been able to twist that into being proof

that Daisy deserved what was done to her- turning her into a pariah.

Blaming the victim has never been, and will never be, the correct course of

“

Victim blaming has never been, and will never be, the correct course of action when someone has been sexually assaulted.”

action when someone has been sexually assaulted. It is deplorable that after suffering through a tragic event of this magnitude, the community not only turned its back on Coleman, but also made it seem as though she was in the wrong.

From a very young age, girls are taught to be constantly aware of their surroundings and companions. We are told to avoid being alone at night, make a quick exit from a parking garage and follow numerous other sorts of preventative measures. Instead of instilling fear in women, how about sending a strong message to men that rape is intolerable?

According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National

Network, one in every six American women has been the victim of a completed or attempted rape in her lifetime.

It’s important to note that women can be attackers too.

However, the United States Department of Justice reports that 99 percent of rape assailants are male, leading to the conclusion that the weight of reform lies with the male gender.

If a woman is wearing a revealing outfit, that does not justify rape. If a woman has been drinking and is heavily intoxicated, that is not cause to take advantage of her. There is never an excuse for rape, and furthermore, the victim should never be blamed.

It is distressing that not only could a woman’s physical and mental health be shredded because of someone else’s actions, but the woman may also be portrayed as deserving that action.

Perhaps if rapists know that the legal system and the public will condemn all acts of this nature, incidents such as Daisy’s, and countless others’, will become less frequent.

ALEX HILL - regular columnist - sophomore - English/political science

we’re YOUR newspaper. send a letter to the editor and express your views.

send an e-mail to opinionseditor@ collegiatetimes.com with your letter or guest column attached.

Women face double standards on Halloween

To

have a sexy Halloween costume, or not to have a sexy Halloween costume? For many women, that is the question.

It’s a question which is far more complicated than it may initially appear.

On one hand, sexy costumes are just that. They make women feel seductive and confident in a way that seems taboo during the rest of the year.

Many people don’t think Halloween is exempt from the taboo at all. Which, of course, is their opinion to which they are absolutely entitled.

What they are not entitled to is mocking and shaming women who do not share their opinion.

Every year, websites and magazines come up with new lists of the “weirdest,” “wackiest” and “worst” costumes to wear; they’re almost always lists of what the writers have determined to be “racy” costumes.

The larger issue is judging women

for what they wear, which is a yearround issue, unfortunately.

On a smaller scale, the problem seems to be that when a woman wears a sexy costume on Halloween she is shamed, but if she doesn’t, she is labeled as “prude”. It is not anyone’s place to judge someone else for what they choose to put on their body.

A woman who wears nothing but three strategically placed party hats and a tie and carries a briefcase and a woman wearing an entire suit with the words “happy birthday” emblazoned on it should both be applauded for their witty pun, instead of shamed for the amount of clothing they are, or are not, wearing.

The overall lesson to be learnt here is: when a woman leaves the house, she is comfortable in what she is wearing.

Whether it’s sweatpants or no pants, if it’s good enough for her, it should be good enough for you.

However, on the other hand, the main reason many women find

issue with the whole “sexy” costume trend is not because they think it’s “trashy” or “skanky.” The issue is that sexy costumes seem to be the only choice available for women.

On a smaller scale, the problem seems to be that when a woman wears a sexy costume on Halloween she is shamed, but if she doesn’t, she’s labeled as ‘prude.’”

Upon walking into a costume store, seemingly every costume geared towards women has to have a word like “sexy,” “seductive” or “naughty” attached to the title. If a woman wanted to be the kind of vampire that caused men’s blood to curdle, she’d apparently have to deal with their blood heading south instead.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a woman dressing seductively. There is, however, something wrong with expecting women to dress as such and then proceeding to shame them when they do.

Women cannot be simultaneously judged for what they wear while their options for dress are restricted.

So, this Halloween, remember two things.

Women are allowed to wear as much or as little clothing as they want without fear of judgment.

And if you happen to be in contact with the makers of female Halloween costumes, remind them that not all women are comfortable with being sex kittens this holiday season, and that more options should be made available.

AMY RIEGER - regular columnist - sophomore - communication

College Media Solutions Ad Director: Michelle Sutherland Account Executives: Taylor Moran, Stephanie Morris, Danielle Pedra Inside Sales Manager: Amanda Gawne Assistant Account Executives: Catie Stockdale Jordan Williams, Emily Daugherty, Emily Reina, Becca Schwartz Creative Director: Diana Bayless Creative Staff: Mariah Jones, Samantha Keck, Kitty Schaffernoth, Seden Craig.

Katherine Miller

Voice your opinion. Readers are encouraged to send letters to the Collegiate Times.

365 Squires Student Center Blacksburg, VA, 24061 Fax: (540) 231-9151 opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com All letters to the editor must include a name and daytime phone number. Students must include year and major. Faculty and staff must include position and department. All other submissions must include city of residence, and if applicable, relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e., alumni, parent, etc.). All letters should be in MS Word (.doc) format, if possible.

Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times.

Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, which is composed of the opinions editors, editor-in-chief and the managing editors.

Letters to the editor are submissions from Collegiate Times readers. We reserve the right to edit for any reason. Anonymous letters will not be printed.

Have a news tip?

Call or text 200-TIPS or e-mail newstips@collegiatetimes.com Collegiate Times Newsroom 231-9865 Editor-in-Chief 231-9867 College Media Solutions Advertising 961-9860 The Collegiate Times, a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, was established in 1903 by and for the students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Collegiate Times is published every Tuesday through Friday of the academic year except during exams and vacations. The Collegiate Times receives no direct funding from the university.

The Collegiate Times can be found online at www.collegiatetimes.com.

Except where noted, all photographs were taken by the Student Publications Photo Staff.

To order a reprint of a photograph printed in the Collegiate Times, visit reprints.collegemedia.com.

The first copy is free, any copy of the paper after that is 50 cents per issue. © Collegiate Times, 2013. All rights reserved. Material published in the Collegiate Times is the property thereof, and may not be reprinted without the express written consent of the Collegiate Times.

4

October 25, 2013

Today’s Birthday (10/25/13).

Creative fun carries you off this year. Love blossoms at home and work next spring, reaching a peak around the solar eclipse in April, with another bloom next autumn.

True up your work to your heart, and career will thrive into 2015. Power up for a bigger impact.

55 1880s White House monogram 56 "Basic Instinct" co-star 59 Cassis cocktail 60 Drug delivery mode 61 New alums, last yr.

62 Outward impressions

By Steve Salitan

DOWN 1 Insect sensor 2 Emmy winner Falco 3 Ocean flier 4 Used with skill 5 Suffix with Ecuador 6 Aquatints, e.g.

7 Gets upset 8 Subj. involving bread?

9 What a collective noun usually lacks 10 Pea pod, e.g.

11 Celebrate, in a way 12 Radish, for one 13 Shooting site 14 Reduced 22 Ski resort near the Great Salt Lake 24 Reverse 25 Tough jobs 26 25% of doce 27 Revels in the moment 28 Conclude with an emotional demonstration, perhaps 29 Shouted 31 Practices 33 Benefit

10/25/13

ACROSS 1 Dodger shortstop after Leo Durocher 12 "I kiss'd thee __ I kill'd thee": Othello 15 Mediterranean arm 16 24-hora period 17 Where sheets are spotted 18 Suppositions 19 Coat of a kind 20 Chick chaser 21 Adjective showing confidence

42 "The Supremes __": 1966 #1 album 44 Really messed up 46 Glossy-coated tree dweller 47 Crusty entrées 48 Notice on the links?

49 "Be right with ya" 50 Where chads became famous: Abbr.

51 Stanza rhyme scheme

23 Cost of membership 25 Raced on a lake, perhaps 26 Many "Twilight" series readers 29 Racket 30 Pharmaceuticals co. division 31 Upside list 32 Horse with a high tail carriage 34 Past, in the past 35 Accommodates 38 2011 Hiroshima Art Prize winner 39 Take off the top 41 "Hogwash!"

36 Good stock 37 Mineral-rich European region 40 Google __ 43 Increase 45 Ford subcompact since 1976 46 Malcontent 47 Hail damage marks 48 Area plants

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

(c)2012 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

WORDSEARCH: Hokies Gameday Locate the list of words in the word bank in the letter grid.

F

F

C

E

G

S

B

U

Z

N

N

H

J

Z

O

G

W H

V

P

H

M

G

U

T

J

V

L

L

A

B

T

O

O

F

F

A

L

U

A

H

G

N

V

N

G

C

L

I

P

S

W F

M

O

D

U

E

R

S

Y

E

R

N

F

L

A

G

S

E

V

I

F

I

O

Q

P

O

L

B

T

M

A

O

Z

Z

L

Y

E

Y

C

A

Z

S

Y

D

O

I

I

O

U

A

H

L

L

L

Y

O

H

O

M

O

S

S

L

N

M

M

S

N

A

K

I

O

L

G

I

G

S

T

S

O

P

Z

F

Z

G

T

M

D

R

F

G

H

P

K

H

O

K

I

E

S

G

I

O

Z

B

Z

G

C

E

L

S

I

V

J

N

V

U

A

E

Z

D

N

U

F

X

Z

L

S

O

K

Q

N

U

Q

G

G

R

Y

T

A

R

I

N

R

Y

R

X

S

X

W B

Z

N

N

S

Z

O

X

G

P

K

B

E

E

C

P

I

B

M

A

T

H

S

F

H

Z

E

E

P

C

K

E

Y

I

U

B

R

N

F

X

C

A

Q

A

R

S

G

Q

R

H

F

D

E

O

E

C

G

W S

I

L

X

S

E

M

V

U

C

T

X

N

H

M

U

C

V

C

C

J

S

W W E

T

T

X

G

N

I

T

A

G

L

I

A

T

K

G

A

O

T

B

S

I

P

I

S

U

T

K

C

I

X

Y

B

F

C

A

X

P

I

X

50 "... get one __!"

52 Former U.K. carrier 53 Le Havre handle 54 Some school competitions 57 One often turned up in a club 58 '70s radical gp.

WORD BANK 1 Football 2 Tailgating 3 Beer 4 Turkey Leg 5 Soda 6 Chips 7 Dips 8 Salsa 9 Grills 10 Maroon 11 Orange 12 Hokies 13 Hotdogs 14 Hamburgers 15 BBQ 16 Tents 17 Flags 18 Cheers

10/24/13

Textbooks for Sale Don’t Fear Research Papers!

They’re easy & fast when you use these unique techniques. Do your OWN great work! Learn how at www.rewpublishing.com

For Sale BOOKS: dangerous dreams, stolen memories, collapsing societies, lost identities, lost souls, engineered life, our world transformed: Remembering the Future, science fiction stories by Alan Kovski. On Amazon.com.

Notices Home Heating Fuels Bell Oil Company serves all of the New River Valley and surrounding areas.

Call us for best prices and prompt service!. www.belloilcompany.com 540.381.1023

CENTER FOR THE ARTS AT VIRGINIA TECH

October 25, 2013

collegiatetimes.com

5

1

Within its walls Virginia Tech’s new $98M arts center houses many innovations.

Preview some of them here:

2

1. The performance hall seats 1,260 audience members.

2. The staircase from the entrance hall curves up to the performance hall entrances.

3. An infrared camera used for motion capture is being set up by a graduate student in of the “floating” studio rooms. These rooms are isolated from the ground with insulated ceilings and walls to keep sound and vibrations out.

4. A cable-suspended performance and entertainment robot is hung up from the ceiling of the “Cube.”

5. Director Carol Burch-Brown Professor of Video Arts programs a video interface for the first piece displayed in the “Cube.”

3

photos by Ben Weidlich / SPPS

4

IN THE LOOP Here’s a peak of what the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech has in store for the 2013-2014 season Philip Glass Ensemble - SOLD OUT Friday, Nov. 1 8 p.m.

Sphinx Virtuosi

Sunday, Nov. 3 3 p.m.

Ballet Hispanico

Thursday, Nov. 7 8 p.m.

Diavolo Dance Theater

Friday, Nov. 15 8 p.m.

David Finckel and Wu Han

Sunday, Nov. 17 8 p.m.

Ira Glass

Saturday, Nov. 23rd 8 p.m.

Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Saturday, Dec. 7 4 p.m.

Tickets purchased online are emailed to the purchaser to be printed or can be picked up at will call.

For more information visit artscenter.vt.edu.

5

AT CENTERVIRGINIA FOR THE 6 ARTS TECH New arts facility offers students professional experience October 25, 2013

collegiatetimes.com

BEN WEIDLICH / SPPS

The opening of the Center for the Arts offers students the opportunity to gain professional experience in a high-tech facility. Students can apply for positions in production, patron services and administration.

MEGAN VAZQUEZ lifestyles staff writer

No matter what career students hope to pursue after graduation, working in a brand new arts center is a rare and relatable job opportunity that is now available on the Virginia Tech campus.

The Center for the Arts recently hired around 90 students to fill its staff before the opening season. These students fill positions ranging from production to patron services.

“It’s about 40 (students) for production, 40 for patron services, and about 10 for other positions, including graduate students,” said Jonathan Boulter, associate director of patron services.

Production includes everything from lighting to sound to rigging: all the work behind the scenes.

Patron services involve the more visible roles like box office attendants and ushers.

Administration covers marketing and communications, and others are involved in assisting with gallery work.

While these positions are currently filled, Boulter said that doesn’t mean students shouldn’t apply.

Boulter was involved in each step of the recent hiring process.

Students attended a career fair held by the Center for the Arts, applied to various positions and were later brought in for the interview process.

Haley Randolph, a sophomore majoring in environmental science, said she was asked to come in for an interview two weeks after the career fair.

Two weeks after the interview, she was hired.

Randolph was hired in the patron services department as a

box office worker and an usher.

Patron services employees are mainly hired based on personality and communication skills, while production employees are hired based on experience.

“We chose students that we felt would best fit our needs inside the center,” Boulter said.

Working in a professional arts center gives students a unique experience compared to other student jobs. It provides students the opportunity to work in a professional environment and apply their experiences to any future career.

“It’s literally like working in a big city performing arts center,” Boulter said. “I think that’s a huge asset to the students to be able to do that.”

Student employees are currently working toward the center’s opening performance night on Nov. 1.

Production employees are

helping with lights and moving things around, while patron services is focusing on box office operations.

Ushers have already trained and are prepared for the night of the first performance in the theater, which will feature the Philip Glass Ensemble.

“Our first true audience will be opening night on a sold out show of over 1,000 people,” Boulter said. “It will be a lot of learning as they go, but we’re very excited.”

In addition to working during performances, students are involved in the daily operation of the venue. They must be knowledgeable of every aspect of the Center for the Arts and its shows.

Employees like Randolph were taken on a tour of the building, including the backstage area and dressing rooms, to learn as much as possible.

“If there are any questions about the building or any future shows, I’m the person to go to,” Randolph said.

Randolph said she hopes to gain professional work experience from her position and looks forward to being able to sit in on shows as an usher.

Even though she is considering environmental consulting as a career, she said she enjoys having the opportunity to work in the arts.

“I like art, so I’m just exploring what I like and not necessarily what I want to do in the future,” Randolph said.

The center’s employers recommend this line of work for any type of student, especially those who want to work in development and have a passion for arts. They try to give students as many learning opportunities as possible within the center to benefit them in their future.

“We’ve told our students if there’s something they’re looking to do or looking to learn, (to) let us know, because we love to be able to get them as much experience as possible,” Boulter said.

Boulter said he hopes to be able to provide an opportunity for many students to experience working for the Center for the Arts and gain a passionate knowledge of arts.

“We’re looking for students we hire to become ambassadors for the Center for the Arts and go back to others and share their passion with fellow students so it carries on,” Boulter said.

For more information, the application and job descriptions for the positions in the center can be found on the Center for the Arts’ website.

@meganv_VT

Students gain access to high-tech studio

RACHEL FRANKS / SPPS

Multimedia journalism students exercise their skills with new state-of-the-art equipment in the Center.

KATRINA SPINNERWILSON lifestyles staff writer

The communication department is the only one with classes taught in the new Center for the Arts building, and one of the first and only communication professors to teach in the building, Derley Aguilar, is excited about the state-of-the-art facility.

“I think our space improves the department because it improves the experience for the students,” Aguilar said.

The previous studio space used by communication students was in Shultz Dining Center, which was renovated and incorporated into the Center for the Arts building.

Although Shultz had a control and audio room, the space was not as integrated as the one now.

Students now also have the opportunity to use professional grade equipment, which includes cameras and an audio board.

“It’s all new equipment with (the) video, studio and control room,” said Nolan Nichols, a senior communication major.

“There’s a newsroom now, and there’s a classroom with com-

puters as well. It’s been a great opportunity to get hands-on experience with the news setting.”

Aguilar said she believes her experience in television played a major role to bridge the gap between the engineers’ proposals for the building and what the communication department needed.

This semester, Aguilar is teaching the Advanced Multimedia Reporting classes in the Center for the Arts building. As a professor, she was able to give her input during the planning process in terms of how the space would be used and future needs for both her students and herself.

“That was actually pretty tough, because we were transitioning and our curriculum was changing,” Aguilar said. “Some of the questions that were asked of me were harder to answer, because it hadn’t happened yet.”

Although Nichols didn’t have a class in the previous facility, he said the Center for the Arts building is not only spacious but was also designed really well.

“You can tell they didn’t cut corners when making the facility,” Nichols said. “I think that’s

going to really pay off when we enter the workforce.”

Considering the size of the whole facility, the communication department only uses a small area of the new building.

But according to Aguilar, it helps the department to now have both an official space and a home.

“I can’t wait to see a lot of students coming in and out of the space,” Aguilar said. “I can’t wait for it to just be really lively, and I know it’s sort of redundant to say this, but alive.”

While Aguilar normally opposes cell phones in class, during the first week of classes, she highly encouraged her students to take pictures and tweet as a way to share the excitement and show what is happening in the department with the new innovative studio.

“It’s really wild, because for my own personal point of view, this was a lot to undertake,” Aguilar said. “It feels really neat to see the process from the beginning to where we are today, and I like the idea that I can say I had the first class in that room.”

@kspinz